I just saw a nice looking Model 14-3, K38 Masterpiece with the 8-3/8" barrel length. I like this gun-but, I just don't know if I would want such a long barrel?

How do you K38 Masterpiece owners like this barrel length? Would most of you prefer the 6" barrel instead? I'm having a hard time deciding whether to go for this 14-3 or not-in view of the 8 3/8 barrel? Another consideration is how much this longer barrel length would affect resale value?

I'd like to hear comments from owners of the Model 14 regarding their preference in barrel length and/or their experience with the 8-3/8" barrel length(Pro or con?)?

I had one but have sold it. I loved it, the long barrel felt better to me than the 6 inch. Just pointed great. Had target stocks instead of magnas so maybe that helped also. If you can get one go for it.

Great for hunting or shooting off the bench but long for holster carry. I get the best accuracy from long barrels but prefer the six inch for everyday use.

Should be outlawed as it gives an unfair advantage to shooters. The thing is half way to the target when the shooter levels it.

Since I need all the advantages I can get I like mine.

I see pics of the long barreled guns on here and think I'd like to have one. But every time I hold one in my hands I think what am I going to do with this gun. So far I've not found one that I've just got to have. Maybe one day.

I don't have a 14 with that "long tom" barrel, but I do have a 48-4 and a 617 in that length. The 48 balances surprising well, plus that longer barrel is better suited to the 22Mag. The 617 with that full underlug is another story. While it shoots like a rifle off the bag, it is one barrel heavy ******** when fired offhand. You have all that steel at the end of the frame with only a tiny .22 cal hole to remove some weight...........just my 2 cents!

I have both the K22 and the K38 in the long version and have grown to really enjoy shooting them. The balance is different, of course, and I think it took me a little while to get used to it, but now that I have, it feels quite natural and comfortable. And I don't have anything I can shoot as well at the range as the .38...sometimes I impress even myself. I have also put together a pair of 4 inch Combat Masterpieces in .22 and .38...don't know how I ended up skipping the 6 inch versions.

I have one that has a slight bulge in the barrel about four inchs back from the muzzel (another reason not to buy when you are in a hurry), the thing shoots great. That extra sight radius really help's.

__________________
Stay safe people!

I love my Model 14-4 and 17-4 with 8 3/8 inch barrrels and they are both very accurate shooters. The Model 14's have a reputation for being extremely accurate.
14-4

17-4

The Model 14-3 8-3/8" that I'm pondering over, has the same S&W stocks on it as your "beautiful" Model 17-4, in new condition. The asking price on this gun is $650 but, I was thinking that in view of having this long barrel, that this price might be too high? I don't really know, because I have never owned any revolvers longer than 6-inches. Some folks have been advising me that I should stay away from this long barreled revolver, since it has a limited purpose and, because it's not an all around type of gun. Plus, they claim that the resale value would be low and, unless a potential buyer was strictly, a paper puncher at the gun range or a hunter, it would be a hard gun to sell. I once had a friend who owned a rare Ruger Redhawk .357 with a 7-1/2" barrel and, I do remember that he had a heck of a time selling this gun.

I was keeping an eye out for a Model 14 with a 6" barrel but, suddenly, this Model 14-3 came up with a 8-3/8" barrel and it looked great with the S&W combat stocks on it. Since I'm still undecided over this barrel length, I'll keep watching for some more of your comments here, in hopes that I'll be able to ascertain if buying this gun would work out for me. I know that with such a long barrel this 14-3 would not be a carry gun-but, I'd like to find out what other purpose this gun could be used for, other that strictly target practice or hunting? You can definately see that I'm just a newbie when it comes to longer barreled guns than 6-inches! In fact, most of my gun choices have always been 5" or less.

I have a K-38 and two K-22s with 6" barrels, and have been looking for one of each in 8 3/8" for a while (on hold now, need to get a couple of "slow-pay" clients to get me the money I'm owed). However, I have a Model 27 with an 8 3/8" barrel, and I love it! Pretty much my favorite barrel lengths have always been 4" and 6", but the 8 3/8" is just a great length, excellent balance, the long sight radius aids accuracy, and the extra length helps extract a bit more velocity from any given ammo. In a K frame, carrying it in a good hip holster is no problem (unless you want to carry it on your hip while driving), and a shoulder holster makes it duck soup to carry, even as a carry gun, should you so desire. Honestly, you will never know if you like it until you buy it and shoot it for a while. Some people don't like the long barrels too much, but most of them never owned one. I'm betting you'll fall in love with it. To your other question - is $650 too much? If the gun is in excellent condition, and with those S&W Combat stocks, probably not. The stocks (if they are truly S&W manufacture, not aftermarket with S&W medallions) are worth a fair amount in their own right. Yes, it may take a bit longer to sell it, as many are afraid of the longer barrels, but I doubt you would lose money on it. Of course, if you like it as much as I like my 8 3/8' guns, it will be a moot question, as you'll probably keep it for the rest of your life. BTW, the fact that your friend had a tough time selling his Ruger Redhawk with a "rare" barrel length is not really much of an indication. Remember, you're comparing a Ruger (a good, strong gun, but not to the finish or quality of an S&W, with very limited collector interest), and a Redhawk at that (not to offend anybody, but that is not, to me, an aesthetically pleasing design, i.e.: UGLY). They are tough to sell in any barrel length. Strong, but heavy and ugly. Not really an indication as to the marketability of an S&W, no matter the model or barrel length.

I appreciate your well written Input and you have given me severl good points to consider. Yes, those wooden combat stocks on the 14-3 I'm considering, are genuine S&W with the medallions. Although I know that the Blue Book isn't an accurate guide for current day gun prices-my two year old Blue Book indicates a 100% value for a Model 14 to be $450. So, I don't know how much of a difference in value the latest Blue Book Edition might show(If any?)? Oh, I forgot to mention that there's no gun box etc included with this 14-3! Thanks!

I too have been considering this barrel length in a model 27. There seems to be a lot of them around for not a lot money. Any comments? Also I have a question that may sound stupid, but.... would porting one of these enhance its resale value or would that just be an act of desecration?

To me that price seems a little bit high, but not by much. The grips may well add the extra value. I have a 6" 14-4 that I just bought, and it was a lot cheaper than $650. It's in great shape with a little wear on the bluing, but no scratches or dings whatsoever. I don't know what brand of target grips it has though, I believe they are just some generic set. No markings or numbers on them at all, just a little sticker that reads "Made In Phillipines". Pretty sure they aren't factory S&W

I attached a pic of it.

Attached Images

S&W Models 10 and 14.jpg (68.1 KB, 61 views)

__________________
386NG, M&P R8, M&P40c, 460 XVR

JMHO = Desecration, With that much nose weight why would you need a port on anything less than a 460.

__________________
Revolver luvin' Mountaineer

take all those smith pages from the blue book and put them in the outhouse where they can do some good. have most of the 8 3/8 in bbl. guns and they all shoot great of the bench and offhand. they were never made to be carried. if you want a carry 38 spl. find a model 15.

"I appreciate your well written Input and you have given me severl good points to consider. Yes, those wooden combat stocks on the 14-3 I'm considering, are genuine S&W with the medallions. Although I know that the Blue Book isn't an accurate guide for current day gun prices-my two year old Blue Book indicates a 100% value for a Model 14 to be $450. So, I don't know how much of a difference in value the latest Blue Book Edition might show(If any?)? Oh, I forgot to mention that there's no gun box etc included with this 14-3! Thanks!"

Glad to help. Just a word about the "Blue Book" - it is a dealer's tool, primarily used when buying guns for resale, so you can show the seller how little you would make on the gun he wants to sell or trade. As a former dealer, I know where it comes from, and what input is made for the prices they show in it. It was never reliable as to true retail and/or private sale value, and is even less accurate now. This translates to an even greater difference when considering guns with a high degree of collector interest, including Colt or S&W revolvers, with the Blue Book ALWAYS showing almost ridiculously low values. One that's 2 years old? Fire starting material. Frankly, although the $650 is probably near the top of the market for the gun, it is not out of line. Remember another thing - market preferences in barrel length change from time to time. It wasn't that long ago that an S&W revolver (any model) with an 8 3/8" barrel carried a VERY large premium over the far more common 4" and 6" barrels, as they were the rarest barrel length made by S&W. Since most things go in cycles, I don't doubt that collectors will swing back to that preference some time in the future, as that barrel length is far more rare.

As to the lack of box, etc., that is the norm for almost all guns. When these older guns were made, many buyers didn't even want the box, only the gun, as they weren't going to store the gun in a box, and it would just be more junk to get in the way and/or throw out when they got home. If it had the original box, tools, brochures, etc., it might be worth an additional $35 - $50. I wouldn't worry about that, I'd be more interested in the condition of the gun. And, since the combat grips are original S&W square butt grips (and appear to be in excellent condition), they are probably worth around $100 - $150 by themselves. Better buy it before I do, ha ha!

8 3/8" is great because if you ever shoot it out you can stake up a rose bush with it. LOL

Well, after everything you have just indicated, I feel much more confident now in giving serious thought about possibly, purchasing that 8-3/8" Model 14-3! I didn't realize that the 8-3/8" barrel length was the rarest barrel length made by Smith and Wesson. I'm also aware of what you are saying regarding not having the gun box to go with this Model 14-3. I learned a long time ago to never reject a mint gun just because of a lack of not having the box included with it. Although, it's always better to be able to obtain the box too!

I was mostly concerned about the long barreled revolvers in view of having seeing them languishing in the various gun shops for months, being left unsold! So, I was afraid to take a chance on investing in seeming unpopular guns like these. Other than this, I suppose that I would eventually be able to get used to the longer barrel-which seems strange to me right now. My other concern was my assumption that target revolvers were no longer very popular in this day and age-just like the .38 Special chambering is-since most everyone wants a .357 revolver instead! But, not me-as I prefer the .38 Special.

The 14-3 in question, looks like new-although it has been fired somewhat-but, not much, I don't think? The bluing looks bright and radiant-so, was this the way that the 14-3's would have come out of the factory? It also has a red front sight insert-but, I'm not sure if this was optional from the factory on this gun either? There is just a trace of a cylinder turn line but no wear whatsoever anywhere on the gun. All of the frame and barrel stampings are intact and, since there's no evidence of metal polishing, my assumption is that the bluing must be factory original? The gun is tight and shows no sign of any wear and tear-and the timing is spot on. I believe this 14-3 was well taken care of.

I appreciate all of the time and effort that you have put into giving me all of your helpful information above! I have learned alot! Thankyou!

My other concern was my assumption that target revolvers were no longer very popular in this day and age-just like the .38 Special chambering is-since most everyone wants a .357 revolver instead! But, not me-as I prefer the .38 Special.

I, too, prefer the .38 Special, but 6 inch is the limit for me. I have a 4" Model 15 and a 6" K-38 and I can't make up my mind which of them I prefer. I could carry either one of them, but the 8 3/8" is just too long. Of course, if you're just going to cart it back and forth to the range, then it really doesn't matter.
As for me, there are an infinite amount of guns out there, but I have a finite amount of money. Unfortunately, I have to justify the expenditure.
Chris

I think the long barrel looks great. I've had a few 8 3/8" S&W's and have liked them all. I also have a Colt Python in .38spl with an eight inch barrel, they are fun to shoot.

Over time, I have had some experience with the longer barreled S&W revolvers in several chamberings. My good shooter buddies and I all shoot each others guns a bit and it has been interesting to hear the reasons given for liking or not liking a particular barrel length.

Value of the 8-3/8 inch barrel is the remarkable long sighting plane. One shooter loves it because it provides him with more precision due to the sighting distance. Another shooter finds that the front sight on the 8-3/8 incher seems to wobble a lot more. He finds he holds a better, more steady sight picture with 4 or 6 inch barrel.

In all reality, both shooters seem to be holding the short and long revolvers steady to the about the same degree steady, but the longer barrel has the front sight leveraged way out there so movement of the grip makes the muzzle appear to move around more than the short gun held and moved the same amount.

So a lot of the results are heavily induced by psychology. The short barrel displays less movement, and the sight picture looks more stable, so the shooter is more confident of the shot. The long barrel with it's longer sight radius allows more precision and if the shooter can hold it well, he can more fine tune his sight picture and get smaller groups of shots. The first shooter may find the muzzle wobble of the longer gun unsettling and gets worse hits.

Yes, the shooter has to shoot both choices and determine which manner his brain processes what he sees and how it interprets things for him.

I have owned and shot both K-22's and K-38's with 4, 6 and 8-3/8 inch barrels. I found that it took more work to take advantage of the long guns' extra sight radius, but on good days they gave me better hits on fixed targets than the 6 inchers.

If the targets were moving, such as small game, the longer barrel seemed more difficult for me to get a good sight picture as quickly on a running, bouncing target than did the 6 incher. Others with a higher level of physical dexterity, had less of a problem.

If the k-38 is to be a range gun, the longer barrel has few shortcomings and the finer sight picture possibly will help one score higher. if the gun is to be carrie afield, going after game, to me the longer barrel doesn't aid me much in the more dynamic game shooting, certainly not enough to offset the degree of difficulty encountered in carrying the long gun.

i have tried belt holsters on good belts for K and N frame guns with 4, 6, 6-1/2 and 8-3/8 inch barrels. The 8-3/8 inch guns didn't carry well for me that way. A shoulder holster worked better but good ones are expensive and hard to locate a suitable model and get it adjusted to fit you well.

So, it's all just a matter of what the shooter will use the gun for and what are his personal preferences. The shooter needs to try both lengths and see which works best for him.

Nice thing about the K frame Masterpieces, with their non-lugged lighter barrels is that there isn't all that much weight difference between a pair of K-38's, one with a 6 inch and the other with an 8-38 inch barrel.

I still end up with most of my woods guns being barreled from 5 inches to 6-1/2 inches. It is all personal preference and compromise.

BUFF:

Thanks for the excellent report! Since up until now, I have not been a shooter-but, just have collected alot of "mechanical art". Haha! I'm going to print out and save your above report for future reference=as I can see that I have much to learn, regarding shooting and selecting guns and their various barrel lengths for the intended purpose.

I'm going to go to a gun range to try out the different barrel lengths to determine which of these I'd prefer. Hopefully, they might have 8" barreled revolvers that I could sample.

At this point, I want to thank all of the above members who had contributed so much in educating me about the Model 14-3 8-3/8" barrel revolver, as well as many other relevant details, that I'd be needing to take into consideration-before deciding to purchase the Model 14-3 in question. This is truly a great forum and, I'm proud to be a member here!

I guess I should have given it a better shake down, but the only long barreled K38 I had didn't stay with me for more than a year or two. Just didn't care for the feel. I think the perfect field gun is a 5 inch, but they are harder to come by then hens teeth! So, most of my field guns have 4-6 inch barrels + my 3 inch 696. For combat shooting, it's four or three for me. For target work, it's 6 inch for me.